The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-06-02
THE NATIONAL DRILL.
FOUR THOUSAND SOLDIERS REP
II RESENTlNG NGTHIRTY-ONE STATES
A Birds Eye View of an Event of Ma.
ti"nal ImpOrtance-.The Pageants aud
the Competition.
Especial Cor. STATE CHRONICLE

A Birds Eye View of an Event of Ma.
tinnaI ImpOrtance..The Pageants and
the Competition.
Especial Cor. STATE CHRoNICLE.l
RALEIGH. N. c., May 81, 1887. ret
respective glance at the N 4tional Drill, Just
closed, shows that it was an affair in all
respects unequaled in its peculiar sphere.
No less than thirty one States were repre-
sented by their troops, and in the white
tents, which gllstened at the base of the
Washington Monument, We're quartered
over 4, 900 soldiers, representatives of the
militia of the North, the South, the East
and the West.
But this letter will deal mainly with the
North Carolina contingent of this grand
army Of picked men, whose contests were
all on peaceful fields, and whose only
ambition was, not to slay their opponents,
but to excel them in the drill. North
Carolina was practically represented by
but one company, the Governors Guard,
of Raleigh, an organization which was the
youngest in camp. The Forsyth Rifemen,
of Winston, had platoon present, under
fQmMand Of Lieut.. j. G.: Bessent, but
took no part in drill or duty, not being
up to the requisite standard as to numbers.
The Governors Guard left Raleigh on
Sunday, May 22d, in a special train of
four cars. The company was differed by
Capt. E. b. Engelhard and Lieut. John G.
Williams, and there were present for duty
forty-two men, including IA hum corps of
five. With the Guard were 121 citizen
eycursionists, The train reanhed Danyille.
Va, ut midnight and there the Guards
were met by some members of The Dan
vile Grays G. company which the Guard
entertained here last summer). In the
early morning the train swept swiftly
through the beautiful valley of the She
nandoah, al Il soon after o'clock passed
historic Alexandria. then across the war
famous long BRIDGE apd So into the
National capital. The soldiers of peace
had done in eight hours what could not
be done in four years by those of war
entered Washington. A moment after the
train had stopped in the splendid station,
the troops formed in line, and with the
National and State colors streaming brave
ly in the crisp morning breeze, entered
PENNSYLVANIA AVenup aud tuoL un tho line
Of march fQr camp. The blue and white
regulation uniforms, the scarlet BLANKETS
and the gay flags made up a pretty pic
t4re as The boys stepped swiftly forward
to the rattle OF their drums. They We're
Cheered several times, and Their marching
aud appearance were 'mplimenled right
and left. Camp was threc-quarters of a
into the tents the rather tired soldiers
went, while Washington friends and Moth
CarOllanS, by the score, gathered around
to have a hand shake and d word from
homo.
lhe camp was IN "a most pl1tures4uely
beautiful sltuatloi, just III rear of the White
House, with the Potomac river having its
western trout, the towering Washington
Monument marking its centre and tn, vast
building of the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing, Oh the south, 1t was an ideal spot
for any purpose. The tents OF the Gov
ernOr Guard (Which We're State property,
having neen furnished by the Quarter
naster Generail We're pitched immediate
~ south OF the monument and at It's very
base.
On all sides of the park used as a camp
ground, We're broad streets, and Jake Bah
cock 5 and the Government carp ponds fur
nlshcd beautiful water -Scapes.
Such Was the earthly paradise III " ash
lngton, that lovely city, IN which the lot
of the troops was cast for their week o.
duty
Monday, the INST day III camp, was
marked by the arrival of many troops
from ali parts of the Union. Ine North
CarollnlanS made acquaintances rapidly,
and each acquaintance was friend. The
camp was walked over thoroughly, and
many found time to take a first peep at
the glolles of Washington. Iae vast white
dome OF the capitol stretched skyWard III
the distance, while nearer at hand and al
so in plain view were the White House.
the State, War and Navy buildings, and
the Treasury building. Adjoining the
camp, GU the east, was the Agricultural
building and its lovely grounds, while II
little further eastward were the Smlthso-
nlan and the National Museum.
Had the roll of the Governors Guard
been called Monday afternoon AT the base
ball grounds, perhaps majority OF that
fine command would have responded
Base ball Is very near to the heart OF ii
Raleigh man, and great interest was man
lfested Ill the rafting 1O-innnS game be
tween the Washington and Detroit clubs
Monday at noon, duty began i'll camp
Gen. Augurs flag rose on its staff at head
quarters, while the tiniest of boy bands
rendered the sweet music of National airs,
as the folds of the dear old stars and
strips" were unfuried in the sunshine
Monday night duty began, and the camp
settled down to business and routine, yet
passes" could always be had and there
was no cessation of sightseeing Tuesday,
or indeed any day. People poured into
camp, the female element largely predom
mating, and the Raleigh boys showed that
their gallantry was quite equal TO that OF
any of the men in camp.
Tuesday the troops were, for the sake of
convenience, thrown into provisional bat
tallonS, each battalion under command OF
a Colonel This arrangement Was made
by Gen. Johnstone Jones, of North Caro-
lima, who was Gen. Angur's first assistant
Adjutant General In this formation of
battalions, the States were thoroughly
mixed. The sixth battalion, which Was
placed under command of Col. }. L. An
thony, of Charlotte, Colonel of the Fourth
Regiment, N. G. S. g. was composed OF
a Minnesota company, six Michigan com
panies and the Governors Guard. BY
this arrangement these were under Col
Anthony's command during the encamp-
ment.
Tuesday afternoon there was the first
unpleasant occurrence. A storm swept
up at o'clock and made things lively
Rain poured in torrents, lightning flashed
and the wind blew a gale. Many teuts
succumbed and many people VIC t drcuch
ed. The Governors Guard were sufferers
with the rest. tor two of their tents blew
down. First SedIgcut Grimes was the
greatest sufferer. Wednesday was bright
and any damages were soon repaired.
Wednesday was the great day, the day
of the review by the President and The
| Governors of various States. By 10 O'Clock
all troops were in motion, taking position